Bliss Necklace

I've been thinking a lot lately about the word "bliss".  How many times in your life have you actually experienced true bliss?  sometimes it happens int he quiet moments of the day when you know that everyone you love is safe and happy and well.  it can happen during the creative process, when all elements come together to become something beautiful; cherished for years to come.  If Bliss were a design it might look like this 19" necklace made from vintage lavender and white pearls, used as the focal point, nestled in antiqued bronze vintage bead caps and surrounded by charms made of lucite flowers, swarovski pearls and crystals. More lavender and white pearls line the chain surrounded by antiqued bronze vintage heart connectors. A lovely white lucite flower with an amethyst swarovski crystal as it's center dangles from the antiqued bronze chain. The design is tied together with an antiqued bronze swirled toggle clasp.

Bliss can be purchased in my Etsy Shop!  Giving this necklace as a gift?  Bliss will arrive at your door beautifully wrapped and ready for giving.  And remember, there is always FREE SHIPPING at Zur Designs!

Experience Bliss! :)

Jonquils of Spring Sterling Silver and Bead Neclace

I made this 18" sterling silver chain and bead necklace as a celebration of spring! 


The jonquil crystal wire wrapped briolette, yellow flower, and ornate and flowered sterling silver charm combine to form a focal point for this necklace that just brightens your day. 


Swarovski jonquil crystals and swarovski pearls line the chain and the piece is held together by an antique silver clasp.

Here in the Berkshires Mountains in Western Massachusetts, we await the arrival of spring with great anticipation after the long and hard winter. Sometimes the crocus come out too early and greeted with a surprise winter storm...but when the jonquils come, we can pretty much believe that warm weather and sunshine are here to stay!

You can purchase this necklace at my Etsy Shop!  Giving Jonquils of Spring as a gift? It will arrive beautifully wrapped and ready for giving.  And remember, there is always FREE SHIPPING at Zur Designs!

Happy Spring!

My Mother's Garden

So this year, when the anniversary of my mother's passing came along, I wrote a poem and sent it to my two remaining sisters in a lovely e- card. It's a poem I'd been carrying around in my head for a very long time. After sending the e-card, I felt compelled to go to my local bead store and find some elements that would transform this poem and my own thoughts into a design.

I found a lovely swarovski pendant that looked like a garden with tiny stones embedded into the pendant that made the whole thing sparkle. Couldn't pinpoint the right elements for the flowers until a package arrived from my dear friend at Ambient Girl Supplies that contained all these wonderfully bright colored swarovski crystals! I put a bunch of these crystals on headpins and scattered six of them around the pendant; each represents one of my mother's children--six in all. I even used some more guy colors to represent my late brother Rick! Then I lined the chain with some more crystals and a couple of swarovski pearls, put a little sterling silver butterfly charm on one side of the chain and a little fabric flower on the other side.

Making this necklace was not only a wonderful experience because it paid tribute to my wonderful mom but it also felt like I was creating a flower garden in the middle of a snowstorm!!

So here's the poem I wrote to my sisters:

My Mother's Garden

What happened to the flowers in my mother's garden?

Seeds so lovingly planted so many years ago...

Some became parents, others grandparents and

Teachers, leaders, and an inspiration to others.

Some moved on to join her and sit quietly by her side.

All have done their part in keeping her garden growing

By weaving the stories and passing them on to all those

She left behind.

Because of this work she is alive in all of our hearts...

Forever!

This poem and this design is dedicated to you Mom! You truly do live on in the hearts of all who love you!

My Mother's Garden can be purchased in my Etsy Shop. For a breath of spring or to celebrate mothers everywhere!

Precious!!

Precious is defined in the dictionary as "something or someone who is highly esteemed, valuable, cherished, dear, or beloved". I think this is a perfect word to describe how I feel about those I love. I even a a "thing" when anyone who is dear to me is about to drive away, I really HAVE to say, "Drive safe...precious cargo!".

If the word precious was a design it'd be this sweet little 19" necklace. The brilliance of the Swarovski crystal heart pendant surrounded by chains of pearls and crystals, and perched on a sterling silver diamond cut chain that is adorned with swarovski crystals, a tiny heart charm, and a fabric flower. The whole design is tied together with a sterling silver bail and antique style toggle clasp.

Maybe you have someone in your life that is precious to you...even if it's yourself! :)  The photo was taken with a beautifully ornate wedding dress!

Precious can be purchased at my Etsy Shop and arrives gift wrapped and ready for giving. And remember, there is always FREE SHIPPING at Zur Designs!